Leadless Pacemaker Revolutionizes Heart Care Locally

In a significant advancement for cardiac care in North Karnataka, SDM Narayana Heart Centre in Dharwad has successfully performed the region's first implantation of a leadless dual-chamber pacemaker. This cutting-edge technology, previously only available in major metropolitan centers, is now accessible to local patients.

The procedure was conducted on a 68-year-old patient suffering from severe bradycardia, characterized by a dangerously slow heart rate. Doctors opted for the latest fully wireless pacemaker technology, which bypasses the need for traditional wired leads and surgical pockets.

Using a minimally invasive catheter-based technique, two small pacemaker capsules were implanted directly into the heart's upper and lower right chambers. This hour-long surgery was performed under local anesthesia and significantly reduces the risk of complications like infection and lead dislodgement.

The new device offers an extended battery life of up to 17 years and is fully MRI-compatible. The patient experienced an immediate stabilization of his heart rate and was able to walk the next day, being discharged within 24 hours, marking a major success in bringing advanced cardiac solutions to the region.